Soak the fruits: Begin by soaking the mixed dried fruits in orange juice (or your choice of rum or brandy) for at least one hour, or overnight for the best flavor. This soaking process plumps up the fruits and infuses them with moisture and flavor. Once soaked, drain any excess liquid from the fruits to avoid making the batter too wet.
Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 160°C (320°F). Grease and line an 8-inch round cake pan with parchment paper, ensuring you line both the bottom and the sides to prevent sticking.
Prepare the dry ingredients: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground allspice or cloves, and salt. Set aside. These spices will give the cake its warm, aromatic flavor.
Mix the wet ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together the vegetable oil, dark brown sugar, molasses, eggs, vanilla extract, and orange zest until smooth and well combined. The molasses will give the cake a rich, dark color and a deep, slightly bittersweet flavor, perfect for fruit cakes.
Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the batter to keep the cake light and fluffy.
Fold in the soaked fruits and nuts: Gently fold the soaked fruits and chopped nuts (if using) into the batter. The fruit should be evenly distributed throughout, giving each slice a burst of sweet, juicy flavor. If you like, you can also stir in the reserved soaking liquid for extra moisture and flavor.
Pour the batter into the pan: Spoon the thick batter into the prepared cake pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Tap the pan lightly on the counter to remove any large air bubbles and help the batter settle evenly.
Bake the cake: Bake for 45–60 minutes, or until the cake is firm to the touch, dark on top, and a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. The baking time will vary depending on your oven, so check the cake after 45 minutes and continue baking if needed. Be careful not to overbake, as this can dry out the cake.
